Nikon Coolpix 885 Review

By: Steve's Digicams


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Nikon Coolpix 885


First Look posted 9/01/01
Full review posted 9/06/01

Introduction & Physical Views



Click on the Coolpix 885 to take a QuickTime VR tour


The Nikon COOLPIX 885 is a compact, lightweight (225g/7.9 oz) 3-megapixel digital still camera, it was developed as a successor to the highly acclaimed COOLPIX 880 . It is a mid-range model in the COOLPIX series featuring Nikon's newly developed 3x Zoom-Nikkor lens (equivalent to 38-114mm in 35mm format). The 3.21-megapixel imager delivers ultrahigh-definition images up to 2,048 x 1,536-pixels. The Programmed AUTO and 12 Scene Mode settings will enable users to capture the essence of every picture in all sorts of lighting environments. One-button data transfer simplifies image data uploading. The new Small Picture function produces reduced-size pictures for e-mail and use on the internet.

The COOLPIX 885, available in metallic silver and charcoal black, comes with essential accessories including a disposable 2CR5 lithium battery (the EN-EL1 rechargeable battery and charger are an option in the U.S.), 16MB CompactFlash Card, USB cable and software. With a lens adaptor, it can accept various Nikkor converter lenses, such as Wideangle, Telephoto and Fisheye. An optional LCD hood increases LCD monitor visibility when shooting in daylight. With so many features and accessories, and a remarkably easy-to-use design the COOLPIX 885 promises to win over countless new users to the increasingly exciting field of digital photography.


Nikon COOLPIX 885 Major Features

  • 3.21 million effective pixels for 2,048 x 1,536-pixel images
  • 3x Zoom-Nikkor lens (38-114mm in 35mm format)
  • Digital zoom up to 4x magnification (12x when combined with optical zoom)
  • Bright, clear 1.5", 110,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD monitor
  • Nikon's advanced image-processing algorithm ensures faithful color reproduction
  • Images can be saved as uncompressed TIFF-RGB or compressed JPEG (FINE: approx. 1/4, NORMAL: approx. 1/8, BASIC: approx. 1/16)
  • Shutter speeds: 8 seconds to 1/1000 sec., Bulb up to 60 sec. in Manual
  • 256-segment Matrix, Centre-Weighted, Spot or Spot AF Area metering
  • Matrix Auto White Balance, 5-mode manual with fine tuning, preset white balance and White Balance Bracketing
  • ISO equivalent 100, 200, 400 or Auto can be set in CSM mode
  • Macro shooting capability as close as 4cm (1.6 in.)
  • Best Shot Selector (BSS) function
  • Single, Continuous, Multi-Shot 16 (16 frames 1/16 in size), VGA Sequence and Ultra High Speed (70 QVGA images at approx. 30 fps) capture modes
  • AUTO Mode for point-and-shoot operation
  • 5-Area Multi Autofocus for easier photo composition
  • Movie mode captures up to 40 sec. of QVGA frames at 15 fps
  • 12 Scene Modes -- choose from 12 different "scenes" (Portrait, Party/Indoor, Night Portrait, Beach/Snow, Landscape, Sunset, Night Landscape, Museum, Fireworks Show, Close Up, Copy, Back Light)
  • Advanced, built-in 5-mode Speedlight
  • Quick Review button displays images during shooting for instant selection or deletion
  • TRANSFER Button lets users automatically upload image data to a computer
  • Small Picture function creates smaller size image data for e-mail attachment
  • Automatic Noise Reduction function for superior images at slow shutter speeds
  • USB interface for Plug-and-Play and compatible with devices that support USB Mass Storage class
  • Ergonomic design features intelligent button layout and directional Multi Selector for easy handling, superb operability
  • Compact and lightweight (225g/7.9 oz.) body with fully retractable zoom lens
  • Extended battery life of approx. 90 min. with Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL1*
  • Compatible with Nikon Telephoto, Wideangle and Fisheye Converter Lenses, and Slide Copy Adaptor (requires optional Step Down Ring Lens Adaptor UR-E4)
  • Comes with Lens cap, Wrist strap, Video cable, 16MB CompactFlash™ Card, USB cable, Nikon View 4 (COOLPIX) CD-ROM, Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL1, Battery Charger MH-52
  • New dedicated LCD Hood HL-E885 is available as an option
  • Supports EPSON "PRINT Image Matching" technology

The Coolpix 885 has a MSRP of $599 and will be available in September 2001.





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Physical Views

Nikon Coolpix 885

Nikon Coolpix 885

Nikon Coolpix 885Nikon Coolpix 885

Nikon Coolpix 885

Nikon Coolpix 885





Nikon Coolpix 885

The ultra-compact Coolpix 885 and its big brother, the Coolpix 995






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COOLPIX 885 Specifications

CCD 1/1.8-inch Interline CCD
Total pixels 3.37 million
Effective pixels 3.21 million
Image Sizes Full (2048 x 1536 pixels)
XGA (1024 x 768 pixels)
VGA (640 x 480 pixels)
Four Small Picture sizes selectable
(640 x 480, 320 x 240, 160 x 120 or 96 x 72 pixels)
Lens 3x Zoom-Nikkor; f = 8-24mm (35mm camera format equivalent to 38-114mm); f/2.8-4.9; 9 elements in 8 groups
Digital zoom 4X digital zoom in 20 steps of 0.2X
Autofocus (AF) Contrast-detect through-the-lens (TTL) AF
Focus modes Continuous AF (monitor on), Single AF (monitor off), Manual (49 positions, with focus confirmation indication)
Focus range 30cm (1 ft.) to infinity at widest angle (W), 60cm (2 ft.) to infinity at telephoto (T)
Macro mode (Autofocus): 4cm (1.6 in.) to infinity (W), 30cm (1 ft.) to infinity (T)
Viewfinder Real-image zoom optical viewfinder with LED indication
Frame coverage Approximately 80%
Monitor 1.5-in., 110,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness and hue adjustment
Frame coverage Approx. 97%, Approx. 100% (playback mode)
Storage system File formats include:
HI (uncompressed TIFF-RGB)
JPEG (Compressed, Baseline-compliant: FINE: approx. 1/4, NORMAL: approx. 1/8, BASIC: approx. 1/16)
MOV (QuickTime compliant, 15 fps); Compliant with Design rule for Camera File systems; Digital Print-Order Format (DPOF) and PRINT Image Matching (PIM) compatible
Storage media CompactFlash™ (CF) Card Type I
Approximate capacity Number of images per 16MB (64MB)

 FULL XGA VGA
HI 1 (66) - -
FINE 10 (40) 39 (159) 97 (390)
NORMAL 20 (81) 76 (309) 177 (725)
BASIC 39 (159) 144 (588) 324 (1300)
Shooting modes Auto, Scene (Portrait, Party/Indoor, Night Portrait, Beach/Snow, Landscape, Sunset, Night Landscape, Museum, Fireworks Show, Close Up, Copy and Back Light), Custom (CSM) (includes shooting menu for control of White Balance, Metering, Continuous, Best-Shot Selector, Image Adjustment, Image Sharpening, Lens, Image Size & Quality, Sensitivity, Exposure Options, Focus Options, Auto Bracketing, Noise Reduction and CF Card Format), Movie (up to 40 sec. of QVGA frames at 15 fps)
Capture modes Single
Continuous
Multi-Shot 16 (16 frames 1/16 in size)
VGA Sequence
Ultra High Speed (70 QVGA images at approx. 30 fps)
Exposure metering modes 256-segment Matrix
Centre-Weighted
Spot
Spot AF Area
Exposure Modes Programmed Auto
Manual
Auto Exposure Bracketing
EV -3 - +15 (W), EV +1.4 - +16.6 (T)
Exposure Compensation ±2.0 EV in steps of 1/3 EV
Shutter Mechanical and charge-coupled electronic shutter
8 seconds to 1/1000 sec.
Bulb up to 60 sec. in Manual exposure mode
Aperture Electronically controlled preset aperture
Two steps (f/2.8 and f/7.6 [W])
Sensitivity ISO equivalent 100, 200, 400, Auto; can be set in CSM mode
White Balance Auto with TTL control, 5-mode manual with fine tuning, preset white balance, White Balance Bracketing
Self-timer 10 sec. or 3 sec. duration
Built-in Speedlight Range 0.4 to 3.7m (1.3 to 12.1 ft.) (W), 0.4 to 2.3m (1.3 to 7.5 ft.) (T)
Flash control Sensor flash system
Flash modes Auto, Flash Cancel (off), Red-Eye Reduction, Anytime Flash (fill-flash), Slow Sync
Playback Playback modes Single frame, thumbnail (nine or four images), movie, zoom (4x), slide show, histogram indication/highlight point display, focus confirmation indication
Image deletion User can delete all or selected frames
File attributes User can set transfer, hide and protect attributes for each image
Computer Interface USB 1.1
Video output User can choose from NTSC and PAL
I/O terminals DC input
Data output (video/USB)
Power requirements Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL1, or 2CR5 (DL245) lithium battery; AC Adaptor/Battery Charger EH-21 (available separately)
Battery life Approx. 90 min. (EN-EL1) or 100 min. [2CR5 (DL245)] when using monitor at 20°C (68°F)
Operating environment Temperature 0-40°C (32-104°F)
Humidity Under 85% (no condensation)
Body finish Metallic silver and charcoal black
Dimensions (W x H x D) Approx. 95 x 69 x 52mm (3.7 x 2.7 x 2.0 in.)
Weight Approx. 225g (7.9 oz.) without battery and CompactFlash™ card
Supplied accessories* Lens cap, Wrist strap, Video cable, 16MB CompactFlash™ Card, USB cable, Nikon View 4 (COOLPIX) CD-ROM, Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL1, Battery Charger MH-52
*Standard accessories may differ by country and area.
Optional accessories AC Adaptor/Battery Charger EH-21, Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL1, Various size CompactFlash™ cards, Soft Case-E885, Step Down Ring Lens Adaptor UR-E4, Wideangle Converter WC-E24/WC-E63*, Telephoto Converter TC-2E/TC-E3ED*, Fisheye Converter FC-E8*, Slide Copy Adaptor ES-E28*, Remote Cord MC-EU1, LCD Hood HL-E885
*Step Down Ring Lens Adaptor UR-E4 is necessary.






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